The Buzz on How to Grow a Small Business in 2013 [INFOGRAPHIC]

When taking on a doozy of a challenge, like trying to grow a small business, it’s important to have role
models. Somewhere you can look and say, “Man, those guys are bringin’ it.” But
let’s take a break from the business world, enjoy some fresh air and look at an
org that’s been doing it right forever: teamwork legend, the honeybee.

A quick breakdown: At 1/300 oz, the wind from a swat can
send a single bee tumbling. (Yeah, it can sting. But unless you’re
allergic—meh—you’ll live, unlike the bee.) Yes, no one works harder, but an
individual bee is incredibly vulnerable and has very little impact. A hive,
however, is a force.

It’s not hard to find inspiration in a hive. Individuals,
doing many different jobs, but all with a common goal: survival and growth. Oh,
and that single sting I scoffed at earlier—well, an angry swarm on the
defensive is another matter.

Think if your small business could run in the same way. Not
the stinging part, but having everyone unified and armed with a complete
picture of your customers and the common goal of small
business growth—no matter if they’re in sales, marketing or customer
support. It’s deeper than teamwork. It’s the ability to feel intelligent and that
creates the kind of power that you can feel on the inside. And it’s something
that customers recognize from the outside, and respond to positively because
conversations are relevant and interactions engaging. Talk about creating buzz
(couldn’t resist).